Cigarette, a friend or foe

ABSTRACT

'It remains an established fact and an unpalatable truth that smoking plays havoc with the body and brings about incalculable harm. The purpose of this study was to dig out the forces that impel the smokers to take refuge in it. The study conducted in the form of a questionnaire encompassed all strata of the society. Those interviewed included both sexes of smokers and ex-smokers from all age groups. The answers that became available from the study were amazing and alarming. More than 50% of those interviewed had an unfailing faith and a deceptive conviction that smoking keeps them calm, tranquil and elevates their mood. Some 5% of the smokers were of the opinion that it caused headaches and killed their appetite. Some smokers, mostly female, despised it but had singularly failed to give it up